Topic: Long T-Handle Ball End Metric Allen Set?

[DaveBarbier]

I’m having a hell of a time finding a set online of the above. I see plenty of ball end in the normal L shape but no long ball end in a T-handle.

Can anyone link me to a set they like? Christmas is coming up and this will be on my list

[Stev-o]

Hey Dave...I would like a set too, have you seen these?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Allen-T-Thru-Handle-Metric-Ball-Plus-Hex-Key-Set-8-Piece-56660G/205564294?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD29A%7CMulti%7CNA%7CPLA%7CMajor-Appliances%7CSpecial-Buys%7c71700000032418849%7c58700003842365800%7c92700030987191770&gclid=CjwKCAiAuMTfBRAcEiwAV4SDkQVLopoFfO-ejMi4MEV9-WZZkdwr8HLje1osRArnPd8XJtiXffWVaxoCADAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[DaveBarbier]

Those are nice Stev-o, wish it said what the length was though. I guess I could run down to the local HD and see for myself...

And Cal, yeah that’s a nice set. Not sure anyone in my family thinks I’m worth over $60 though, haha. I have to convince them that the better the tools I have the faster I can fix their sh1t.

[J-Rod10]

All of my t-handles are Klein. Never had an issue out of them, and they get used all day every day.

[DaveBarbier]

I have some Klein regular Allen keys also and they’re nice. Same with Eklind.

Now I’m not sure if I really need the ball end...

[DaveBarbier]

Looking at the Bondhus 13189. They’re nice and long from the measurements given by users on Amazon and I haven’t seen anyone complain on the quality. And at about $30 they seem like a good deal. Only thing is that weirdly the two smallest sizes aren’t ball end...not sure why. I have small ball end hex keys and they work great.

[DaveBarbier]

Bondhus also has the same warranty but yeah I’d have to send it in. Thing is, even with Craftsman there was a Sears close by and it would take me forever to bring my broken tools there. So even the convenience of having a snap on truck 5 minutes away, I’d have to plow through my laziness.

I prefer ball end but I’m not completely married to it. Main thing is I don’t want them stubby and I don’t care for the large plastic handles. The classic T dipped in rubber or even the plain looped steel is nice. The snapon you linked to are a nice 9”. The Bondhus are also about that long.

[Stev-o]

I just broke 2 Allen keys this weekend working on my son's car front end.

I dont think breaking them is very common, dont think I have ever done it.  I do recall bending a couple though...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I ran through a set of Harbor Freight T-handles.  Very useful, but I'll likely upgrade to something more durable.

[Stev-o]

I ran through a set of Harbor Freight T-handles.  Very useful, but I'll likely upgrade to something more durable.

Thats why I dont buy tools there, ends up costing more in the long run.

I just ordered these, on sale for $26.50 shipped.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-7-pc-metric-t-through-handle-ball/p-00946384000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

[spotty]

i've used ball ends a couple of times ( other peoples ) and snapped the ball off each time, i'll never get them for myself though i was a good boy and replaced the crap ones i'd borrowed

[Rookster]

The ball is for turning them in or out.  You should always use the the hex end to break them loose or tighten them.  If you can't get the hex end of the allen wrench in place then cut off a short section of it and put a socket or a 6 point box end on it.  I can't imagine trying to fish out a broken ball end out of an Allen cap screw if it gets wedged in there. 

On a CB750 this is an issue on the front caliper bolts if you have dual disks.  You cannot get a straight shot at the allen bolts to separate the caliper.  And at least 1 caliper has to come out to get the front wheel off.  I use a short section of an old allen wrench and a box end wrench to loosen them.

Scott

[754]

You can with Morris wheels.. straight shot in..
They can be hard to crack loose, the short Allen in a socket is a good idea..